Pipe coupling



F. H. MUELLER 2 sheetsl I Filed .Sept. 22, 1949 v I INVENTOR: Eng? .11. Mueller,

. ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 3, 1954 PIPE COUPLING Frank H, Mueller, Decatur, Ill, assigncrto Mueller 00., Decatur, I ll., a corporationv of Illinois Application September 22, 1949, SerialNo. 117,147

2 Claims, 1

This invention relates to coupling structure, particularly adapted for use with. smooth walled.- tubes, and to a method of making couplings. The invention further encompasses fittings adaptedfor use in the coupling structure and method.

Smooth walled tubes of copper and other due tile metals are Widely employed in fluid trans mission systems, especially for the distribution of water and gas. Couplings are commonly made to such tubes by soldering, a process necessitating the use of a blow torch and special technique. soldered joints are further not entirelysatisfaotory, since they may fail in case offire, and the silver solders widely used are prone to anneal and form weak-spots, apt to fail under vibration and similarstresses.

Numerous types of couplings involving tube flares and'beads are known, but-are not generally satisfactory in all applications because of liability of the tube to pull out of the coupling under axial stress, lack of ability to maintain a tight seal under continued vibration, inherent thinning orother-weakeningof the tube Wall, the necessity for expensive bulky equipment to make the seal, or a combination of the foregoing disadvantages and others not listed.

It is'an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel coupling structure involving beaded, smooth walled tubes, adapted to effect; a permanently fluid-tight multipleseal therewith, proof against vibration, expansion and contraction, axial pull, high pressures and the like. 4 g

It is a, further object of this invention to pro: vide a self-locking, self-adjusting coupling structure.

A further object is to provide a method for making a coupling in which the foregoing obj ects are inherently attained.

Another object is to provide a method for mal; ing a coupling involving a bead on a smooth walled tube, wherein the tube is not weakened by thinning the walls thereof or otherwiseQbut on the contrary is substantially hardened and strengthened.

Yet another object is to provide a coupling fitting adapted for employment in the coupling and method.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best. be made clear from the following de-. scription and the accompanying drawings in. which:

pleted coupling, composed of diiferent fittingsv from those of thecouplingof Figure 1;

Fi ure 3 is an end elevation of: 11.116 ri ht hand fitting of Figure 1., looking toward; the annularlyserrated, inclined, bead-engaging surface there of;

Figure. 4. is an elevational view-of the tubeend portion included in the. couplings of Figures; 1. and; 2; with. the coupling fittings. removed;

Figure 5 is anenlarged, fragmental detailview, takenon the line 5-5 of Figure, 3, showing 16,-. tailsv of the serrated bead-engaging, surface, and:

Figures 6 to. 8. are a series of sectional views progressively showing. successive stages in the formation. of the coupling.

Referrin to the drawings. in detail, in Figure-1. is shown. an exemplary embodiment of thepres.-.. ent invention including. a smooth walled tube. llv provided. with. a bead indicated generally. as l2, adjacent they end thereof. The bead. l2 CQI'Il. prises inclined side portions 53 flaring outwardly.

from the adjoining tube portions. l4, and. a

rounded bead port-171011.15. intermediate. the. side. portions. I he side. portions l.3.- aredesirably. conical. in form, and diverge. from the axis of tube. Hz preferably at an. angle of about 30?, and, the bead portion l5 is desirably rounded. with a small radius, inch. being suitable for com.- monsizes of copper tubing, for example. Tube Ll. is preferably composed. of av ductile. metal, such as coppenaluminum, soft steel, or the like.

Enclosing. tube H and the head [.2 thereofare a pair of coupling fittings. i6 and. H fitting [6: being. provided with the internally. threaded surface l8 and fitting II with the externally threaded surface it; by which the fittings are threadably engaged. Fitting ll, in the example shown, is provided with. an enlarged portion 20' adapted externally for the reception of tools, and a bore-2i. therethrough, the boreterminating at theinner end otthe fitting inthe outwardly flaring serrated surface 22, As best shown in Figure 5, the serrated surface comprises a plurality of annular serrations 2-3 disposed in planes normal w' t t e se ra i ns definin a plurality of annular knifev edges 24 therebetween,

also normal to the bore a iS.- The diameter of bore 2|, it will be noted, is, slightly larger than the normal, external diameter of tube. ii, the tube orti n t. hOW Y B. being e nde o a i ht fit ng; ee iqn hier r he s In fitting I6 is provided bore 25, coaxial, when the fittings are engaged, with the bore 2! of fitting l1. Bore 25 at its outer end terminates in a shoulder 25, and at its inner end in the outwardly flaring serrated surface 21, similar in all respects to the surface 22, except oppositely disposed. Inwardly of surface 21, fitting i6 is formed into the enlarged portion 28, enclosing a recess 29, of comparatively large diameter relative to the surfaces 22 and 21. Recess 29, it will be noted, is positioned and adapted to enclose the rounded bead portion I of bead l2, without contact therewith. If desired in very high pressure applications, bore 25 may be provided with a groove spaced from surface 21, adapted for the reception of an Oring 32 of the well known type, as an additional seal. Outwardly of shoulder 26, the fitting I5 is formed into the externally threaded extension 33, adapted to engage a threaded pipe, fitting or similar element.

The coupling shown in Figure 2 is similar in essential respects to that of Figure 1, comprising, however, fittings 3t and of different form from that of fittings l6 and H. In this example, fitting 34 is in the form of a T, and fitting 35 differs from fitting H in that the enlarged portion 36 is disposed at the inner end of the fitting, and encloses the recess 31, adapted to contain the rounded bead portion 15 of the tube. It will be evident, then, that the fittings employed in the coupling may be of any ordinary form, provided that each comprises a serrated surface as defined above, flaring outwardly from a bore, and that engagement of the fittings aligns said bores and disposes said surfaces in spaced, opposed relationship, the fittings also defining intermediate said surfaces an enlarged recess.

As shown in Figure 4, the bead side portions [3 conform generally to the serrated surfaces of the coupling fittings, and interfit therewith, at least to a partial extent. Stated otherwise, the side portions l3 comprise annular interfitting indentations 38, conforming in depth partially or fully to the serrations 23 of the inclined surfaces.

One manner of forming the coupling of Figure 1 is sequentially illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive. As there shown, the fitting I! is threadably engaged to a suitable forming member indicated generally as 39, said forming member comprising a bore 25', serrated surface 21 and recess 29' in all respects conforming to the bore 25, serrated surface 2! and recess 29 of the fitting 16 to be employed in the final coupling. The forming member further comprises a stop it, suitably spaced from surface 21. As shown in Figure 6, the end portion of tube H is inserted into the assembled fitting and forming member, with its end abutting the stop 40.

With the elements described so assembled, tube ll may be expanded into the cavity formed by the opposed serrated surfaces 21' and 22 and the intermediate recess 29, and the side portions l4 into close fitting relationship with bores 25 and 2| adjacent the cavity. The expansion is desirably effected by fluid pressure exerted interiorly of the tube, and may conveniently be accomplished by the compression of a resilient member therein, such as the rubber sleeve 42. In the expansion of the tube and forming of the bead, it will be noted, fitting il functions as one forming member and member 39 as the complementary forming member.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, sleeve 52 is supported by rod 43, associated with forming member 39 in any suitable manner and slidable axially relative thereto. A collar 44 is threadably engaged to the end of rod 43 and suitably locked thereto, as by pin 45. One or more hard rubber washers 46 enclose rod 43 on each side of the rubber sleeve, separating the sleeve from collar 44 and stop 49, for a purpose presently apparent. Movement of the rod and associated collar to the left as shown, relative to the forming member 39 and stop 48, it will be readily understood, is effective to compress the washers 46 and sleeve 42 between the collar and stop, causing them to expand laterally, exerting fluid pressure outwardly substantially equally in all directions. Sleeve 42, it will be noted, is of substantially greater length than the cavity defined by the forming members, and is disposed to extend across the cavity and for a considerable distance on each side thereof, for reason presently apparent.

Figure '7 illustrates an intermediate stage of the tube expansion step. Rod 43 has been relatively displaced to the left, as shown, causing the sleeve and washers to expand laterally, whereby the tube end portion is expanded outwardly toward the surrounding bore walls, and where not so confined, partially expanded into bead form within the aforesaid cavity. As the relative displacement or rod 43 continues to its final position, the outward expansion of the tube end portion proceeds, eventually attaining the final form shown in Figure 8.

In this figure, it will be seen that the bead side portions 13 have been fully formed in annular conformity with the inclined surfaces 21 and 22, and have been pressed thereagainst with sufiicient force to impress, at least partially, the bead side portions l3 into the serrations 23 of the inclined surfaces, whereby the indentations 38 corresponding to the serrations are formed in the tube bead side portions. The outward flare of the surfaces 21' and 22 relative to the bore axes must necessarily conform to the desired inclination of the bead side portions in the finished coupling, since the surfaces act as dies in forming the side portions of the bead. The preferred inclination, as previously stated, is about 30.

Simultaneously, the central bead portion l5 has been expanded outwardly into rounded form as shown, the depth of recess 29 being properly correlated with the spacing between surfaces 21 and 22 so as not to restrain the central head portion during its formation. As previously indicated, the spacing betwen the inclined surfaces is desirably such as to effect a central bead portion rounded with a radius of about inch.

The tube portions [4 adjoining the bead so formed have also been expanded by the sleeve and washers, into close fitting relationship with bores 25' and 2!, for a substantial distance on each side of the bead. The hard rubber washers 45 are sufiiciently rigid so as not to flow under the pressures of the compression step, but are sufficiently compressible to expand moderately thereunder and assist thereby in the expansion of side portions l4, being effective, moreover, to obviate flow of the readily fiowable sleeve between the periphery of the washers and the surrounding tube walls.

The action of a rubber element as an expanding medium is highly desirable, in that the compressed sleeve or similar element frictionally engages the surrounding the tube wall, and draws the tube inwardly as the bead i2 is formed. It will be noted from a comparison of Figures 6, 7 and 8 that the end of tube II is progressively drawn away from stop 49 as the expansion proceeds. Similarly, the tube on the other sideof the in may be beaded and. formed bytthemethod above described; by'prelimina-rily annealing the tube end. This may beconvenientlyz accomplished by uniformly heating the tube end with a blow torch or suitable electric heater, and then per mitting thertnbeen-d tozcool.v Upon the-expansion been disclosed as one manner of expanding the tube within the forming members, it will be recognized= that the tubemay beotherwise expanded if desired, forexample; hydraulically. Similarly,

a rubber" element may'be'employed' otherwise than asin theexampleset'forth.

When the expansion-stephas been completed, the forming member is removed. In the example shown, rod-43 may-'bepermitt'ed toreturn to its original extended-position; by moving to the right relatively to forming'member 39 and its stop 40, and the entireiassembly then disengaged from fitting H and removed. Upon sliding fitting H backwardly away from the. bead, the formed tube end will appear as Figure' l. Fitting ll remains on the tube, and is restrained from displacement over the end thereof by th bead. A complementary fitting, such as fitting It, may then be positioned over the end of the tube and engaged to fitting H, as shown in Figure l. The complementary fitting It or equivalent fitting of varying form is constructed with its bore 25, serrated surface 21 and recess 29 conforming as nearly as possible to the bore 25, surface 21 and recess 29 of the forming member 39 employed in the expanding step, so that the fitting [6 will closely fit the contained tube portion [4, and the serrations 23 of its surface 2'! will exactly fit the corresponding indentations 38 in the tube bead. A very close fit between bore 25 and the contained side portion I4 is possible, since the outer surface of the side portion is forced during the forming step into perfect round, irrespective of any variations out of round and variations in wall thickness originally present in the tube. The fitting ll, having been employed as one of the forming members in the expanding step, Will, of course, fit exactly its side of the bead and its contained tube portion. The exact fit attained in this manner greatly contributes to the manifold advantages of this invention.

If desired, and especially where the fitting to be employed over the end of the tube is a straightthrough fitting such as fitting l6, both final coupling fittings may be employed as forming members, thus insuring perfect fit of both fittings on 6 the formedlaeadiand the adyoining tube In theexemplarycoupling :of Figure: 1, forearm.-

p'le, suitable means for expandingthetuber end.

which may resemble generally that described in connection with Figures 6 to 8;-maybe: readily! in;-

serted into the tube through extension-33nfsfitting t6, and the tube expanded as previously described or in similar manner within the fittingsii and LT. In so. doing, the. shoulder 2.5 be em:- ployed to-properly position the end of. the tube before the. expanding operationhand" the "enter:-

.nally threaded: BXtEIISiOIl. 3:3- offitting; l6, may-be employed to engage. and: align the expanding mechanism. The: tube end having. been expanded, the expanding means: may be remove and the coupling. is completed and ready for use.

'lihezexpansion of. the-tube: and-formationofthe coupling may readilybe. accomplished on thajob, as required, with easily portable e ui-pmentemiploying, in each coupling. the particular fittings best adapted for the individual purpose of. the coupling.

The; coupling fittings to beemployed being, engaged on the beadedtube end i n-either manner above described, the coupling may be: tightened by moving the fittings inwardly relativeto each other, in the exemplary embodiment by rotating one fitting relativ tothe other, thereby causing the serrated surfacesof the fittings to. pressinwardly against the. indented side portions. of the tube bead. By reason of the indented, configuration of the bead side portions and the correspond.- ing serrated configuration of the fittingjincl'ined surfaces, the effect of this inward displacement will. be to compress the central roundedfbead portion It, after the manner of a U-shaped spring.

The spring. compression of thebead portion l5 constitutes an. outstanding feature of the present invention. An immediate effect of the compression is to distort the bead under axial stress into perfect alignment with the serrated surfaces, thereby insuring that each serration thereof is in exact and full. sealing. relationship with its corresponding bead indentation. Further, it will. be recognized, the compressed head portion continually exerts an outward force against the serrated surfaces of the coupling fittings, which pressure not only maintains a perfect multiple seal at all times, but is effective also to prevent inadvertent rotation and backing away of either fitting, due to vibration or other causes. Stated otherwise, the frictional engagement of the fitting surfaces by the compressed tube bead is adequate under all circumstances normally encountered to lock the fittings in coupling relationship.

This effect is further enhanced by the expanded tube portions [4 adjoining the head, which fit tightly within the bores and prevent lateral movement of the tube relative to the coupling fittings. Vibration and other forces exerted on the tube, then, are transmitted by tube portions 14 to the coupling fittings through the bore walls, and do not result in displacement of the bead side portions [3 relative to the fitting serrated surfaces, which might disturb the seals thereof.

Further, due to the compression of head portion I5 and its continually exerted outward pressure, variations in dimensions of the fittings and tube, due, for example, to expansion and contraction resulting from temperature changes, do not adversely affect the coupling seals, the spring action of the head portion functioning to continually compensate for all such variations.

7 when the coupling is finally assembled and tightened, each of the serrations 23 functions in cooperation with the corresponding tube indentation 38 as an individual knife-edge, metalto -metal seal, whereby a highly eifective multiple seal on each side of the tube bead is attained, proof against leakage under substantially all conditions. The coupling is especially adapted 'to withstand axial force tending to pull the tube out of the coupling. In pulling tests, it has been found that the tube will almost invariably separate at some point outside the coupling,

evidencing the outstanding strength thereof.

The number of serrations formed in the fitting inclined surfaces is not critical, five to seven ordinarily being entirely satisfactory. Nor is the configuration of the serrations critical, so long as the edges defined thereby lie in planes normal to the tube and bore axes. While the serrations shown in Figure are most easily machined, it will be recognized that they may take other forms, if desired.

" It will thus be seen that there has been propanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. A coupling for ductile tubes comprising: a pair of threadedly-engaged fittings having spaced aligned bores; a frusto-conical surface in each of said fittings flaring outwardly from the corresponding bore, said surfaces being disposed in spaced opposed relation and said fittings defining an annular recess intermediate said surfaces of larger diameter than the major diameters of said surfaces; means defining a plurality of annular serrations in each of said surfaces of sharp-edge stepped configuration in radial section; a ductile tube of smaller exterior diameter than the diameter of said bores disposed within said bores and having radiallyenlarged sections of appreciable axial extent in tight-fitting relationship with the walls of said bores adjacent said surfaces, said tube extending outwardly beyond one of said fittings and the bore of said one fitting being longer than the corresponding enlarged section of said tube, the tube section between said bores being in outwardly-rounded bead form spaced from the walls of said recess and having exterior surfaces tightly engaged with and complementary to said fitting surfaces and said serrations thereof.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the fittingsurfaces diverge from the bores at an angle of the order of 30.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 549,569 House Nov. 12, 1895 635,636 Bailey Oct. 24, 1899 683,482 Neumeyer Oct. 1, 1901 1,716,429 Davies June 11, 1929 1,794,849 Hagstedt Mar. 3, 1931 1,858,136 Brenner May 10, 1932 1,927,464 McIntosh Sept. 19, 1933 1,982,850 Banks Dec. 4, 1934 2,269,629 Kreidel Jan. 13, 1942 2,306,702 Koerner Dec. 29, 1942 2,310,944 Douglass Feb. 16, 1943 2,333,909 Williams Nov. 9, 1943 2,335,414 Hinricks Nov. 30, 1943 2,428,077 Herold Sept. 30, 1947 2,459,956 Muller Jan. 25, 1949 2,463,883 Kinsey Mar. 8, 1949 2,469,851 Stecher et a1. May 10, 1949 2,477,677 Woodling Aug. 2, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 393,419 Great Britain June 8, 1933 563,581 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1944 

